forum: Food & Drink

Packed lunches?

I can never seem to think very creatively when preparing packed lunches for my children to take to school, or for me to take to work. I always end up making various kinds of sandwiches. Any ideas anyone?

Re: Packed lunches?

i like to try and mix it up a bit and include some bread, meat, fruit n veg etc.

wraps are great for kids, just pop some ham and salad into a tortilla and roll it, they dont need cooking but they are nice toasted on both sides in a dry pan.

my daughter loves mini-croissants we slice them open and fill with ham and philadelfia cheese.

also those little pick n mix cheeses are a great addition, its kind of a healthy alternative to a chocolate bar, try a different one every day till you get to know their favourites, also a good way for the kids to learn about different cheese.

i always include fruit, either a mandarine, a pear or break a small bunch off some grapes but try to leave em on the stalk its more of a novelty. same with cherry tomatoes.

i have great fun experimenting with little gimmicks for the kids lunchbox, my wife actually puts it together but i do the shopping and enjoy hunting round the supermarket for original and healthy ideas. i never ever put sweets, chocolates or crisps in a pack lunch and since our peadiatrician advised us against overdoing the fruit juice we only ever give them a bottle of water (they like the ones with the pull up nozzle) or a small carton of milk (it was good enough when i was at school!)

i dont think a little treat hurts now and again, a home-made muffin or fairy cake or something similar, my daughter loves to cook cakes at home so we let her take a sample with her to school.

Re: Packed lunches?

For recess Nakita loves carrot sticks with a dip made from low fat plain yogurt mixed with a little french onion soup mix... I bought lunch boxes for her that have 2 small sections & a larger one meant for a sandwich.

Re: Packed lunches?

You could make obento boxes: Japanese lunchboxes with different small yummy foodies. Check this link by a lady who makes her daugther a daily obento: http://www.fotolog.com/minminOr buy one of those cute(!) East Indian lunchboxes, and fill them with some salad, pita bread, raita and leftover curry. Or you can make wraps in any style: grilled chicken with mango chutney and salad, or refried beans with grilled (jalapeno) peppers, or stuffed with pieces of leftover roast, creme fraiche and hot sauce?

Re: Packed lunches?

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